THE Probus lunch for October was held, as usual, at the Kings Arms, Melksham on 6th October where we again had a very good roast dinner.
We had a talk from Cecil Newton, called “The Trooper’s Tale.” Cecil joined the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards and recalled his time preparing for the D. Day invasions.
Cecil started his time in the tanks after his basic training, he then described trials using a floating tank, which unfortunately was not successful. He then moved on until June 3rd, three days before the invasion when they started loading landing craft with tanks. They managed to land on Kings Beach on D. Day.
We then heard of the many hardships the troops had to endure due to lack of food and munitions and also continuous battles with the Germans.
Although Cecil was in a tank he was shot four times, in the legs, arms and side but luckily survived and went back to fight. He managed to get to Bremen before the Victory Parade, which he took part in.
It is thanks to him and many more like him, many who did not survive, that we can all live in a free country.
Keith Gibbons, Secretary.
